General Osteopathy
Osteopathy is the practice of using manipulation, massage and gentle touch to balance tensions and remove stiffness throughout the musculoskeletal system so that the body's internal organs, circulation, digestion and lymphatic system can function efficiently. Osteopathy improves mobility and is particularly good for relieving pain in the joints and soft tissues.
A gentle form of treatment, osteopathy can benefit most types of aches, pains and strains in people of every age, from babies to the elderly.
Osteopathy Techniques
They are 3 varieties of technique that can be used depending on the presenting problems, sensitivity and preference:
Soft Tissue Work (STW), and gentle mobilisation of the arms, legs, trunk and back. Boniface guides your body through movements, supporting without ever forcing the tissues in order to get full release of tensions in joints, muscles and ligaments.
Adjustment, which produces a nerve reflex response that relaxes the attaching muscles to the corresponding joint or connected organs, usually making movement much easier by normalising the relevant neurological loops.
Visceral Osteopathy: gentle manipulation of your abdominal organs to release tension creating local discomfort or referred pains.
Cranio-Sacral Osteopathy
This technique works with the involuntary mechanism and aims to free any restrictions in the normal flow of movement of the skull, the sacrum (the base of the spine), and the connective tissues.
Cupping
Cupping is a very safe ancient technique to help with the muscle contracture, trigger point release, but it also has a much more holistic effect (such as lung drainage) if applied on specific acupuncture points.
The procedure uses glass cups in which a vacuum is created to allow a strong aspirating effect on a precise location.
Acupuncture
Following a very ancient oriental approach of diagnosis and treatment, the use of acupuncture may help in most cases by reducing the symptoms (pain) whilst balancing the flow of energy within the body or simply by reducing the muscle tensions if applied in myofascial trigger points. This last method can help relax an area so that manipulation can be carried out.
Some people may feel nervous about acupuncture, but the procedure is very safe, quick and comfortable.
Osteopathy can help with:
- Sports and soft tissue injuries
- Injuries to dancers and performance artists
- Joint stiffness
- Back pain, sciatica & disc problems
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Golfer's and Tennis Elbows
- Effects of poor posture and mobility problems
- Hip, knee, leg, and foot pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Nerve irritation or "trapped nerves"
- Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
- Tension headaches and Migraines
- Pregnancy aches and pains
- Newborn sleep and feeding patterns
